Top 3 New Water Rides for 2009

As the weather gets warmer, people will be looking for ways to cool off. At an amusement park, there’s no better way to stay cool than a thrilling, drenching water ride. This week’s Top 3 will list the top new water rides opening in 2009. The list is no particular order.

Buccaneer Battle at Six Flags Great America – An Action-Packed Water BattleSix Flags Great America (near Chicago), is debuting a new pirate-themed interactivewater ride that will place park guests in the middle of a water battle. I haven’t found any concept photos or video simulations, but it sounds a lot like Dollywood’s River Battle. I think Great America’s description sums up the ride better than I could: “Eight crew members board the ship, navigating through rough seas before the battle begins. Then each pirate, armed with a powerful soaker gun, takes aim at other passengers and targets along the way. But watch out! Some targets shoot back while others display special effects. You can also spray landlubbers for some ship-to-shore fun.” Here’s a link to some construction photos.

Pilgrims Plunge at Holiday World – World’s Tallest Water Ride
Pilgrims Plunge is a new twist on a classic ride. It will feature an elevator that will lift the five 10 passenger boats to a height of 135 feet above the park. After a brief pause the boat will plunge a world-record setting drop of 131 feet at 45-degrees. The ride will generate an enormous wave of water that will be 45 feet high and 90 feet wide. Read more and watch videos of Pilgrims Plunge. Also, see the HoliBlog for more updates.
Also, check out this test video of Pilgrims Plunge. This thing looks ridiculously tall for a water ride!:

Congo River Expedition at Schlitterbahn – A Highly-Themed Water SlideTechnically, Congo River Expedition isn’t a water ride. It’s an immersive, highly-themed water slide. I’ve never heard of anything like it. Congo River will treat riders to a 10 minute adventure that will send them down a mysterious river through a dense jungle with plenty of surprises along the way. Schlitterbahn is regularly recognized as the best water park in the country and it sounds like Congo River Expedition might take water slides to a new level. For more information, visit the official site.

What’s Your Take? Did I miss any water rides opening this year? What are some of your favorite water rides? Got a suggestion for future Top 3 Thursdays? Leave a comment below.

congo river looks like something disney would make (with a little better effects). disney also masterd the flume ride concept, to make along one you need theming and lots of suprises like splsh mountin due to all the lift hills. im extied to ride pligrams plunge this summer